Saluting Miss Kim Fornes: A Remarkable Career in Music and Teaching

The Williamsville Music Boosters is excited to join the rest of our community in congratulating Miss Kim Fornes on her retirement! Miss Fornes has dedicated the past 26 years to building up the music community at Casey Middle School and is now onto her next adventure. 

Few people know, however, that Miss Fornes nearly didn’t start music at all. Growing up, she shared, “Someone was always playing music in our home”. Miss Fornes was always drawn to the flute, but when it came time to sign up for instruments in fourth grade, she chickened out. Realizing she was missing out on something she had always wanted to do, she signed up to play the flute in fifth grade. Even though she was a year behind the other children, she practiced and worked hard until she was among the best in her grade.

Her love for music continued to grow throughout middle school and high school, so when it came time to choose a major in college, it was only logical for her to choose flute performance. She began her degree at Fullerton in Southern California and finished it at University at Buffalo, continuing her studies at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, where she earned her Master’s. After school, her dream was to play the flute and piccolo in a professional orchestra. She began private lesson teaching while looking for jobs. 

During this time, Miss Fornes got a long term sub position as a high school chorus teacher. One of her friends asked her if she would be able to do it on Labor Day, and on a whim, she said yes. She substitute taught for various music positions for over four years before getting a full time job as a band teacher. When asked why music education is important, she simply said, “We need out of the box thinkers.” Music teaches kids adaptability, hard work, and creativity, vital skills needed for adult life.